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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jackie Chan Didn't Train for ‘Karate Kid: Legends': ‘I Don't Need to Anymore. I've Been Training Every Day for 64 Years'
Jackie Chan is back. Not that he ever went away, but Chan returns as Han in 'Karate Kid: Legends,' the latest installment in the film franchise. This time around, he's in China mentoring his young nephew, Li (Ben Wang). When Li is forced to move to New York City, he finds himself tussling with a bully at school, and winds up in the Five Boroughs Tournament. Han comes along to train Li in martial arts, while Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the original Karate Kid, arrives from California to teach Li karate. More from Variety Box Office: 'Karate Kid: Legends' Chops Off $7.5 Million Opening Day, 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Mission: Impossible' Still Leading Charts Michael Cera Got to Meet Jackie Chan on Their Press Tours, but 'I Think He Thought I Was a Competition Winner': 'Who Is This Person? What's Going On?' 'Karate Kid: Legends' Star Ben Wang Did Most of His Own Stunts in That Final Fight: 'He Took Some Hard Hits' 'I feel like this film understands a really specific and fundamental difference between Hong Kong martial arts, which is all about the choreography and the moves, and American martial arts where it's all about basically punching,' says director Jonathan Entwistle. Chan, who first joined the franchise in the 2010 'Karate Kid' starring Jaden Smith, says he didn't need any training for this new entry. The 71-year-old says, 'I don't need to anymore. I've been training every day for 64 years. I've been fighting, fighting, fighting.' Chan has been acting since the 1960s and is a legend of fight choreography. He performs all of his own stunts 'Karate Kid: Legends.' But he's slowed down with age. Chan laughs, 'I'm not liked I used to be when I was 20, and could do a triple kick in the sky. Now, I do one kick.' But, it's still all him. Chan says he passed on valuable advice to Wang. 'I said, 'Ben, we do have a double for you, but you should do your own thing. The audience respects you more. When you use a double, you become lazy.'' In contrast, the 25-year-old Wang had a stricter training program. 'I got a systematic ass-kicking,' Wang says. While much of Li's journey is about building confidence in his moves, Wang says he spent a month and half before shooting even began working with the stunt team. 'We kept going. It was five days of formal training, from morning to night, and then, I trained by myself on the weekend.' Wang says the team had 90 days to get him to the point when he could 'look okay doing a fight scene with Jackie Chan.' Says Wang, 'When Jackie showed up, he was nothing but helpful.' As for Macchio, even though Netflix's 'Cobra Kai' has ended, it didn't mean the end of Danny LaRusso. As soon as he finished that, he was on a plane to the set of 'Karate Kid: Legends.' But his training began before he even got to set. 'It was a different stunt team, and they sent me videos in advance, and I worked on certain pieces,' Macchio explains. When he finally did get to set, everything came together. He recalls that moment when he arrived. With Wang becoming the new Karate Kid, and the baton being passed on, Macchio smiles, 'I helped build the foundation to this house, but I felt like I was at somebody else's house.' What does Chan think of Wang? Chan beams with pride, 'He's like my young Jackie Chan.' And so, a new Karate Kid legend is born. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Chan Chun Sing meets Timor-Leste president, foreign defence leaders
SINGAPORE – Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing met several of his counterparts on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30, and reaffirmed Singapore's friendly bilateral defence ties with their countries, the Ministry of Defence said. The minister called on Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, and they exchanged views on regional security developments and ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, said Mindef. Mr Chan also met Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and both ministers reaffirmed the warm and longstanding bilateral relationship. They discussed regional security issues and cooperation between their countries in multilateral platforms such as the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), ADMM-Plus and the Five Power Defence Arrangements. 'Singapore and Malaysia's defence establishments interact regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral and multilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges, and cross-attendance of courses,' said Mindef. 'These interactions strengthen mutual understanding and professional ties.' In a meeting Mr Chan had with Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof, they discussed bilateral cooperation as well as engagement through multilateral platforms such as the ADMM and ADMM-Plus. Singapore's and Brunei's militaries have regular interactions through high-level visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses and bilateral exercises, which strengthen ties and enhance professionalism, said Mindef. Both countries will mark the 50th anniversary of defence relations in 2026. Mr Chan also met Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and they expressed their commitment to continue working together through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus meetings. They also discussed avenues to further defence cooperation between their countries. In addition, Mr Chan met French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. Mr Chan expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998. Both ministers also exchanged views on security priorities and geopolitical developments, said Mindef. The two defence ministers had earlier on May 30 signed three agreements to expand cooperation between Singapore and France in emerging and advanced areas of defence technology, such as quantum and artificial intelligence. The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to Singapore. The state visit comes as Singapore and France mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, PM Wong and Mr Macron upgraded bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Republic's first with a European country. Mr Chan's meetings took place at the Shangri-La Hotel, where regional and global defence leaders have gathered for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit. The dialogue, being held from May 30 to June 1, brings together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Scope of each country's defence no longer so neatly defined: Chan Chun Sing
While the business of security has become more complex, it also opens up new opportunities for Singapore to work with more partners, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE – Technological and geopolitical changes to the world have intensified security challenges and prompted countries to redefine how they think of their defence in three crucial ways, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. While this means the business of security has become more complex, it also opens up new opportunities for Singapore to work with more partners, Mr Chan told reporters on May 31. Speaking to the media after he hosted visiting ministers and representatives to a closed-door ministerial roundtable discussion, Mr Chan said a key topic of discussion was how 'defence and security can no longer be cut up so neatly based on geography, as per the past'. Instead, there was a strong sense that a geographic concept of security has become inadequate, with European ministers talking about their security being intertwined with that of the Asia Pacific, and vice versa. A more networked world and greater awareness of threats from the information and cyber domains has also prompted new conversations about securing critical infrastructure, such as the underwater cables that link nations to the Internet, said Mr Chan. And whereas defence ministers used to be more concerned about kinetic warfare - the deployment of armed forces in combat - they are today equally concerned about the security and resilience of their supply chains and economies, he added. Mr Chan said a point made at the roundtable discussions was that meeting these challenges would be a long-term endeavour, requiring countries to work together. Ministerial roundtables are a regular feature of the Shangri-La Dialogue, where ministers engage in informal conversations over lunch. 'If we are really serious about building capabilities for the long haul, it must be a commitment across different political cycles,' he said. It also opens up new avenues for Singapore to work with countries that are further away but who have shared interests in developing capabilities, such as to secure supply chains and to counter disinformation, he added. During the 20-minute interview, Mr Chan was also asked about US defense secretary Pete Hegseth's remarks earlier in the day, which included a call for Asian countries to raise their defence spending and to not become economically dependent on China. Mr Chan said ministers at lunch were 'appreciative of (Mr Hegseth's) candor'. But while the ministers were 'cheered' by the US' commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, they were also keen to see how this would translate into tangible action. On the Chinese defence minister's absence at this year's forum, Mr Chan said most, if not all ministers at the roundtable, would have hoped for the presence of the Chinese delegation. This is as participation at the forum has continued to grow, and many countries find it a useful platform to exchange views, he added. For the first time since 2019, China sent a delegation not led by its defence minister, which meant it could not hold bilateral meetings at the ministerial level with other countries, such as the United States. The Shangri-la Dialogue allows countries to have side meetings with each other, which helps minimise the chances of miscalculation or the misreading of another country's intentions, said Mr Chan. 'I encourage all my fellow counterparts, all my fellow defense ministers, that notwithstanding China's absence, we should continue to reach out to China,' he said. 'And I'm sure China, in its own time, will also want to reach out to the rest of the that we minimise the chances of misunderstanding.' To a question by a Chinese media outlet that mentioned Singapore's 'balancing act' between China and the US, Mr Chan said that is not the Republic's approach. 'Singapore is not trying to balance anybody, and we are also not the interlocutor (between other countries),' he said. Instead, Mr Chan said it sees itself as an open and inclusive platform that allows people to come together for frank and honest conversations. 'Where it's appreciated, we will also share with our partners our perspectives, our interpretations, and likewise we appreciate our partners sharing with us their perspectives and their interpretations of events,' he added. Mr Chan said one point that came up during the lunch was the importance of trust, without which it will be difficult for countries to work together on matters of defence. Building trust has to be done at multiple levels: from those in high political office meeting and talking, to soldiers, airmen and sailors having the opportunity to train together and understand each other's concerns, he said. The more such opportunities exist, the greater the chances that the next generation will work together to overcome new challenges, and Singapore will play its part, he added. 'We will always be an open and inclusive platform for people to come together and exchange notes, to have frank conversations with one another,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
TimesLIVE
10 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Vela Khumalo to coach Bafana Cosafa Cup team
Vela Khumalo has been appointed as Bafana Bafana coach for the forthcoming Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein. He will be assisted by former Kaizer Chiefs player Reneilwe Letsholonyane with Molefi Ntseki as technical adviser for the regional tournament to be held from June 4-15. Khumalo, who is also the South African Under-17 men's national team coach, selected some of the players who were in Bafana's preliminary squad for friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique next week. He also picked players who will be considered to represent the country during the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August. 'We are looking forward to this tournament and we're playing in Bloemfontein and we cannot compromise the team,' he said.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore defence minister meets counterparts from Five-Power defence nations, other defence ministers
Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin arrives for a doorstop interview at the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs' Conference in Singapore May 29, 2025. Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. - Reuters SINGAPORE: Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. Chan hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC and Malaysian Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the meeting, a regular feature of the security forum, the ministers commended the grouping's progress in implementing their nations' guidance to raise the complexity of FPDA exercises to stay relevant to current security challenges. The 2024 edition of the FPDA's Exercise Bersama Lima (XBL24) saw the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets from Australia and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand. 'Looking ahead, the Ministers look forward to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group's participation in XBL25, which would be a milestone achievement for the FPDA, and reaffirm the importance of committing high-end assets to FPDA exercises to enhance their professional value,' said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in a statement. The ministers also affirmed the continued strategic relevance of the FPDA as a constructive, transparent and peaceful defence arrangement that supports regional security architecture, it added. Formed in 1971, the FPDA brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a consultative security framework. The arrangement was established in the wake of the British military withdrawal from South-East Asia, providing a platform for defence cooperation and consultation. Mindef said that the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation through regular exercises, dialogues and platforms for sharing professional knowledge and experiences. As part of his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Chan met Japan Minister of Defence Nakatani Gen on May 31. han welcomed Nakatani, who had attended the inaugural edition of the forum in 2002, back to the dialogue. As the country coordinator for Asean-Japan dialogue relations, Chan reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including through the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Mindef said. Both ministers also reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation to tackle shared challenges, such as through cyber exchanges and enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology. The Shangri-La Dialogue is taking place in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. - The Straits Times/ANN
